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USD #355 ELLINWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

USD 355 utilizes a wide variety of devices and computer systems with Internet capable access. The purpose of these systems is to facilitate information and resources in support of education and research that is consistent with educational objectives and the outcomes for USD 355. The district's Internet Safety Police will follow the guidelines set forth by the Children's Internet Protection Act ("CIPA") and Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act ("NCIPA"). The Internet Safety and Acceptable Use Policy will apply to students, staff, and everyone else that accesses the USD 355 network or computer systems.

The school district will employ and internet filtering mechanism as a technology prevention measure to block access to material deemed as pornographic, child pornography, obscene, or otherwise harmful to minors. The organization does not warrant the effectiveness of Internet filtering nor does it warrant network functionality or accuracy of information. Acting as agents of USD 355, district administration and the district technology coordinator are responsible for management of the Internet filtering mechanism. 

It shall be the responsibility of all members of the USD 355 staff to educate, supervise, and monitor appropriate usage of the computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy. It is also their responsibility in educating minors on appropriate online behavior including safety on the internet, interactions with other individuals on social networking sites/chat rooms, cyber-bullying awareness and response, safe usage of electronic mail, instant messaging, and other forms of direct electronic communications.

There shall be no expectation of user privacy. The school district reserves the right to monitor all use of technology systems. The district may, at its discretion, review any and all technology systems accessed by users. Such monitoring may be conducted without notice. 

The use of district technology systems is a privilege and may be revoked at any time. Failure to adhere to network policies and rules may subject users to warnings, usage restrictions, disciplinary actions, restitution, and/or legal proceedings. USD 355 is not responsible for any actions taken by the users or any loss of information by the user. Acting as an agent of USD 355, the administration will determine whether or not specific use of the technology system is appropriate and/or consistent with acceptable use. This decision is final and non-appealable. 

PROHIBITED USER ACTIVITY MAY INCLUDE BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO:

*Conduct which represents irresponsible, unethical, illegal, and/or impolite behavior while using district technology;

*Accessing material deemed as pornographic, child pornography, obscene, or otherwise harmful to minors;

*The act of circumventing, tampering, disabling, or relaxing the Internet filter is strictly prohibited except by authorized technology personnel for bona fide research or other lawful educational purposes;

*Using the technology systems to disrupt the activity of others, to harass, threaten or discriminate against others. (e.g. "Cyberbullying")

*To gain unauthorized access to computer systems or programs, or to initiate any type of malware or virus in any computer system or program. (e.g. "Hacking")

*Using profanity, obscenity, discriminatory language, vulgarities and other inappropriate language, graphics/electronic images or sound on the computer systems or in any electronic communication;

*Student should not reveal any personal, confidential, or private information about themselves or another individual such as home address, phone number, etc. Staff should not reveal any personal, confidential, or private information about students as to comply with the "Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act" (FERPA)

*Access to social networking websites or chat room web sites is prohibited except for sites that have been approved by administration as educationally appropriate. 

*Representing oneself as someone other than who you are, including using someone else's account number or password. (e.g. "Fraud", "Identity Theft")

*Allowing someone else to use your account number or password with the exception of authorized technology personnel; 

*Vandalism, damaging equipment, or intentionally wasting resources. This includes physical damage as well as digital and network damage, such as deleting data (this includes modifying data or resources of another user) or defacing/modifying/damaging district websites and computer systems; 

*Removing/modifying hardware and/or software without prior authorization;

*Violating any federal or state copyright or unfair trade law. This includes the unauthorized downloading or storing of copyrighted music and movies;

*Violating any federal, state, local, common law, or criminal law;

*Conducting any activity that exposes the district to litigation or expenses;

*Violating any laws that might suggest libel or slander;

*Lack of inappropriate citations of another's intellectual property while using electronic sources for education purposes (Plagiarism);

*Personally benefiting from the sale of "User-Developed Subject Matter" created while under the supervision or employment of USD #355 (this includes political lobbying) and utilization of contact information for mass communication;

*Using non-approved hardware or software;

*Inappropriate uploading/downloading of material while using district technology as determined by administration;

*Actions which lead to a substantial disruption of the school environment as determined by administration in accordance with all state and federal laws, regardless of whether technology utilized for said actions is district-owned by another party; 

*This policy will be periodically reviewed by USD #355 and may be modified or added to as a new situations arise or technology evolves. Determinations may also be made on whether specific uses of district technology are consistent with policy. 

Updated: August 13th, 2012